ICCFA Wireless is a bi-weekly electronic newsletter bringing members of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association the latest government and legal, industry and association news. It is available to all ICCFA members current on their dues. Comments, questions and "hot news tips" are welcome. Write to: hq@iccfa.com.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
The New Alignment in the 112th Congress and What It Means to You
 If the polls and the pundits are even partially correct, there will be a major power shift in the new 112th Congress when it convenes in January. Should the Republicans gain a majority in either the House (likely) or the Senate (unlikely), the chairmanships of all the committees will change from one party to the other. More than just housekeeping, this shift means that legislative priorities will also change. Should the Democrats maintain their majority in the House or Senate, the leadership may choose to change the individual chairs and perhaps elect a new Speaker of the House, currently Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
The existing 111th Congress has gained a reputation, whether fairly or unfairly, as being anti-business. For example, one of the new requirements in the so-called ObamaCare health laws is the requirement that businesses must distribute a Form 1099 for every expense of $600 or more. The inability of this Congress (so far) to extend the "Bush Tax Cuts" will result in increased taxes beginning on January 1 if the "lame duck" session of Congress fails to act when it convenes in November and December. Ironically, the Washington, DC area, including southern Maryland and Northern Virginia, has been largely spared the fallout of the recession. Home values have dipped only slightly and employment levels remain good in the area. Federal, state and local governments are major employers in the Washington metro area as well as private contractors working for government agencies. It is interesting to note that during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the government did not count civil service employees in the employment reports. Today, government workers are counted, leading some observers to say that this overstates the employment statistics and that the unemployment rate is worse than the government is reporting.
ICCFA Wireless will provide a special post-election of analysis of the makeup in the new Congress and the likely priorities for business and tax regulations. Stay tuned—and vote on November 2.
Congressional Research Service Publishes Summary of Veterans Burial Benefits
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) published an updated summary of veterans burial benefits earlier this month. The document not only updates the various benefits in terms of recent legislation that upgrades some of them, but provides a useful index of key statutes and pending bills that affect burial benefits. The document can be viewed and printed out at www.iccfa.com/files/BurialBenefitsCRS101910.pdf.
ICCFA NEWS
"America's Veterinarian" To Share Experiences on
How to Help Families Deaing With Pet Loss
Dr. Marty Becker to provide keynote address at ICCFA/PLPA Convention
Dr. Marty Becker |
Dr. Marty Becker, known as "America's Veterinarian" for his roles as an on-air consultant with "Good Morning America" and as a columnist for Parade magazine, will examine the human-animal bond and the role of death care professionals in assisting those who have suffered the loss of a pet at the second annual conference of the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance, March 8-11 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference is being held in conjunction with the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association's Annual Convention & Exposition, and Becker will command the Convention's "main stage" in a presentation that will reach the hearts and minds of everyone involved in the death care profession.
In "You Have to Know the Heights of Love to Understand the Depths of Loss," Becker will offer a fascinating exploration of the human-pet connection and its profound effect within the lives of pet owners. Medical doctors, psychologists and veterinarians agree: People don't just want to have pets in our lives, they need pets. Study after study shows that pets have the power to heal; because of this, the loss of a pet can be especially traumatic. The "pet parent" loses a friend and a healer.
Having witnessed thousands of people deal with pet loss, Becker will offer his insights into how death care professionals—both those who work specifically in the area of pet loss and also those who operate traditional cemeteries and funeral homes—can offer a skilled, warm hand to pet owners to validate their loss and gently guide them along the rocky road of grief.
Becker is the resident veterinarian for "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show." He is a regular contributor to Parade magazine and is the pet-care expert for the AARP. He has authored and co-authored numerous books, including "Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul," "The Healing Power of Pets: Harnessing the Amazing Ability of Pets to Make and Keep People Happy and Healthy" and The New York Times best-seller, "Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet?"
In addition to Dr. Becker's presentation, highlights at the ICCFA 2011 Convention & Exposition include:
- Apple brand evangelist, entrepreneur and author Guy Kawasaki will examine the process cemeteries and funeral homes need to undergo if they are to reinvent themselves and their ability to serve the marketplace of tomorrow.
- "Long Fuse, Big Bang" author Eric Haseltine will show you how to become a "visionary," how to refocus and redefine the business realities that exist right in front of you and how to turn perceived threats into opportunities.
- Consultant and speaker Juliet Funt will share simple yet powerful strategies to help you create the "white space" you need to become more effective, efficient and energized in your daily work life.
- Cremation Coaching Center LIVE!: In the cremation "game," there will be winners and there will be losers. In this first-of-its-kind interactive educational experience, our cremation coaches will help you and your staff develop the strategy and skills you need to succeed in cremation operations, arrangements and administration. Co-chairs: Julie Burn and Poul Lemasters.
- Breakout sessions on topics that most affect your business: marketing to boomers, management solutions, effective hiring, technology, embalming and more.
- More than 400 exhibit booths
- Second Annual PLPA Conference
- Networking luncheons, receptions and dinner
- Earn continuing education credits
- Free food & drinks in the Expo hall
- KIP Awards presentation
...and much, much more. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
Visit www.iccfaconvention.com for updates leading up to the Convention in March.
You may reserve your hotel room at Mandalay Bay now. Our room block at the Mandalay Bay is expected to sell out quickly. Call 1-877-632-9001 and use code "ICCFA 2011 Annual" to receive the discounted rate of $199 per night.
The exhibitor prospectus is available online now. Registration and full program information will be available later this year.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE!...
To Develop a Strategic Plan With MBA-Level Guidance
There is still time to register to attend the ICCFA Fall Management Conference, October 27-30 at Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. The hotel room reservation deadline has past, but you may still make your reservation now through the resort's Web site at www.camelbackinn.com or by calling 1.800.582.2169.
The conference offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for you and your top management staff to develop a strategic plan for the next five to 10 years.
On the first day of the conference, John Austin, Ph.D., senior consultant in executive development for Decision Strategies International and an instructor for senior executives at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, Georgetown University and Duke Corporate Education, will present a three-hour session on strategic planning. Austin developed an exclusive "scenario report" with a seven-year outlook for the cemetery, cremation and funeral service industry based on a pre-conference industry-wide survey as well as in-depth interviews and study group sessions with some of the profession's top thought leaders, He will present a one-hour keynote address on scenario-based strategic planning, followed by a two-hour workshop session in which he will facilitate a planning session using the scenarios in the report.
On day two of the conference, William Malek, strategy execution officer for Strategy2Reality LLC, former program director for Stanford University's Advanced Project Management program and author of "Executing Your Strategy: How to Break it Down & Get It Done," will conduct an interactive, experiential session on strategy execution. He'll share his expertise on how to take a strategic plan from idea to action, including topics such as recognizing necessary change, avoiding poor planning and understanding and communicating strategic goals.
The conference program will be rounded out on the final day with a presentation by employee benefits expert Scott Morsch on how the new health care laws and the choices employers make with regard to those laws will affect their companies, as well as a panel discussion on the government and legal issues facing the profession.
In addition to the educational sessions, the Fall Management Conference offers excellent opportunities for informal idea sharing, including the Fall Management Golf Tournament and several evening receptions.
For complete program details and registration materials, visit www.iccfa.com or call 1.800.645.7700.
Download the registration form here or register online here.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS!
Matthews International • Service Corporation International • StoneMor Partners LP • Batesville Casket Company • Forethought Financial Services • Stewart Enterprises • Wilbert Funeral Services • Cold Spring Memorial Group • Johnson Consulting Group • Lincoln Heritage Funeral Planning • Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries • Riviera Tailors Ltd. • Carriage Services • Aurora Casket Company Inc. • IMSA • Merendino Cemetery Care • Trigard • HMIS • J. Stuart Todd, Inc. • Independence Trust Company • Milne Construction Company • Gibraltar Remembrance Services
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Establish Relationships, Rehabilitate Your Sales Program With Training at the 2011 Wide World of Sales Conference
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| Schaeffer |
Learn from two of the most renowned sales experts on the planet at the ICCFA Wide World of Sales Conference, January 12-14, 2011, at Bally's Las Vegas.
Noah Rickun
Having seen firsthand the success of Jeffrey Gitomer's training principles in his own companies, Noah Rickun has partnered with Jeffrey to become one of only eight people in the world to be Gitomer-certified.
Noah has started, operated and sold three successful small businesses. He built a $20 million division within a major automotive remanufacturer while earning his law degree from Marquette University, and he is currently the CEO of Jeffrey Gitomer's TrainOne—the world leader in online, interactive sales training and personal development.
Noah is prepared to talk to your business on your level. He presents seminars to sales teams, customer service departments, managers and business owners of companies big and small. He will provide real-world information and ideas that you can will immediately use for greater success. Noah will let you connect the dots between knowledge and action... between knowing everything and actually doing it. Find out more about Noah at www.rickun.com.
Wes Schaeffer
In this session, "Sales Whisperer" Wes Schaeffer will help you rehabilitate your sales program with his insights on how to ensure proper training, establish expectations, set boundaries, reward positive behaviors and more. He'll share some of the most common sales "sins" and how to conquer them.
According to Wes, "Life is good; it's gooder when you're selling." Find out how to make your life and the lives of everyone on your sales team gooder!
Wes Schaeffer launched The Sales Whisperer in September 2006, a sales training and consulting company. He is a seasoned copy writer, and his 16+ years of selling experience spans the worlds of financial services, retail and high tech. For more information and to subscribe to his free weekly e-mail newsletter, "The Weekly Whisper," visit www.thesaleswhisperer.com.
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Sales Managers: Start a Sales Contest Now!
Make your fourth quarter of 2010 the best quarter of the year. Create a contest with a reward that will give all of your counselors incentive to become top producers. A trip to the Wide World of Sales Conference, is a terrific incentive and is the reward that keeps on giving as your staff will attend training sessions filled with useful, practical tools they can take back to the office and implement immediately, allowing them to retool, re-envision and recharge their sales throughout 2011. The 2011 Wide World of Sales Conference offers:
- Internationally renowned keynote speakers Noah Rickun and "The Sales Whisperer" Wes Schaeffer
- Sessions on strategic marketing, social media & online leads, branding, sales strategy, setting & meeting goals, and more!
- Two solid days of educational seminars offering practical tools and techniques for boosting sales
- ICCFA take-home binder filled with handouts and "how to" instructions
- Registration directory of all attendees to facilitate networking with more than 300 of the best industry sales counselors and managers from around the world
- Wednesday evening Welcome Reception
- Opportunity for counselors to participate in our "Speed Sales" session: 10 solid sales ideas shared in a "speed dating" format
- A special Thursday networking and motivational luncheon with Gary O'Sullivan
- A chance to win cash and prizes
- and much more!
Register online today or download the registration form here. You may now make your hotel reservation at Bally's. Bally's Las Vegas is offering attendees the discounted room rate of $149 per night for single/double occupancy (a decrease of $29 from last year's hotel rate). To make your reservation, please call 1.800.358.8777 and identify yourself as an ICCFA attendee.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS!
Service Corporation International • Forethought Financial Group Inc. • Homesteaders Life Company • Matthews International • Assurant Solutions • NorthStar Memorial Group • Arbor Memorial Services Inc. • Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company • Gibraltar Remembrance Services
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2011 Music Licenses Now Available—Purchase Yours Online Now
The ICCFA is offering 2011 music licensing with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC for only $248 per property. With no additional fees or membership requirements, this is the LOWEST PRICE available in the industry!
Companies that currently hold their licenses through the ICCFA have been invoiced.
You may purchase your music license ONLINE NOW or by downloading the registration form.
The 2011 price represents no increase from the 2009 & 2010 rate and is a direct pass-through of the combined annual price increases from ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Licensing directly with the agencies this year would cost nearly $600 per location.
Music licensing is the law, and failure to obtain a license where one is required can be costly: Copyright law provides for damages similar to fines of up to $30,000 for each song that is infringed. If your company, regardless of size, hosts performances of copyrighted music—whether the music is performed live or played from recordings—music copyright owners say you are legally required to pay an annual licensing fee.
 Submit Your 2010 KIP Award Entries Now; New Pet Category Added
Applications for ICCFA's 2010 Keeping It Personal (KIP) Awards are available for download. The mission of the awards program is to recognize the best in personalization in the cemetery, cremation and funeral service profession. Deadline for submission is December 3.
Created by the ICCFA Personalization Committee, the KIP program honors recipients in five categories:
Winners are recognized in ICCFA Magazine and at the ICCFA Annual Convention & Expo. Winners also receive a press release for use in their local media.
2010 applications and profiles of past winners are available on the ICCFA Web site at http://www.iccfa.com/certifications-awards/kip/kip-awards.
Abenity Discount Programs Offers 20% Discount to ICCFA Members
ICCFA has formed a partnership with Abenity employee discount programs that will allow your business to offer its employees discounts at numerous retail stores and restaurants both locally and nationwide. ICCFA members will receive a 20% discount on any program in which they enroll. Visit www.abenity.com for full details.
- TO BUY/SELL
- POSITIONS AVAILABLE
- Sales Management Professional (Michigan)
- Top Sales Director Needed (New York)
- Sales Manager Openings (Florida)
- Bilingual Funeral Director/Embalmer (Corpus Christi, TX)
- Bilingual Funeral Director/Embalmer (San Antonio, TX)
- Executive Director (Miami, FL)
- Regional Sales Manager (North & South Carolina)
- Start Immediately, Cemetery Person to Manage (Georgia)
- Cemetery Operations Manager (New Mexico)
- Maintenance Supervisor (SW Florida)
- Cemetery Sales Professionals (Jacksonville, FL)
- Experienced Cemetery Sales Managers (Philadelphia/Delaware Co./Chester Co., PA)
- Experience Sales Professionals (National)
- Funeral Director (Terre Haute, IN)
- Funeral Director (Jacksonville, FL)
- Funeral Director (Houston, TX)
- Great Opportunity & New Approach to Sales (Kentucky)
- Sales Professionals (Florida)
- Embalmer (El Paso, TX)
- Funeral Director/Embalmer (Corpus Christi, TX)
- Cemetery Sales Manager (Central Florida)
Place your classified advertisement with ICCFA today!
member benefits
Access to Abenity Employee Discount Program
Give your staff access to more than 100,000 discounts and more than $4,500 in savings per employee. Visit www.abenity.com/pricing. Corporate code: ICCFA.
ICCFA Supply Link Allows Easy Buyer's Guide Searching
The ICCFA Supply Link, an online buyer's guide members can use to easily search for products and services from the convenience of their computers, can be accessed directly from the ICCFA home page. The Supply Link offers a "Search" function whereby members can search according to product type or company name and can be limited to a state or to a certain radius distance from a specified city or ZIP code. Users also can narrow their search to include only ICCFA-member companies. Suppliers that are ICCFA members and exhibitors are identified as such in their listings.
Discounts at FuneralReview.com and Dignity University
The ICCFA has partnered with FuneralReview.Com to provide online continuing education at a discount for members. Founded in 2002, FuneralReview.Com is North America's largest provider of online continuing education courses designed specifically for funeral directors, embalmers and preneed counselors. ICCFA members are being provided a code for use in obtaining a discount on the site's funeral courses.
All funeral courses at FuneralReview.com are approved by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. ICCFA members in good standing can log in using a special code to receive a discounted price on the funeral service courses. If you have not yet received your code or have misplaced it, call the ICCFA at 1.800.645.7700. For more information, visit www.funeralreview.com.
The ICCFA also offers low-cost online training on a variety of OSHA topics through a partnership with Dignity University. To access the 23 OSHA courses, visit http://online.ecampustraining.com/Dignityu/.
ICCFA News Page
The ICCFA News Page takes you to sources throughout the world for industry news and updates. It brings you the most comprehensive selection of funeral service and cemetery news available anywhere, along with frequently updated general news items related to national and world events. The News Page reports the news before anyone else and is one of the most visited page on the ICCFA Web site. Stop in each day and you'll see why.
Music Licensing
The 2011 Music Licenses are available for just $248 per property, no additional fees. Covers ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Any U.S. funeral home, cemetery or related business is eligible for membership as a Music License Member. Licensing directly with the agencies this year would cost nearly $600 per location, so this price—which requires no additional membership fee—is still the lowest available to the industry. Purchase your license online now at .
Tax-Related Questions
ICCFA members now also have access to an attorney for tax-related questions regarding trust earnings, care fund allocations, capital gains, investments and more. The ICCFA has retained Leslie Schneider, CPA, a tax attorney with Ivins, Phillips & Barker in Washington, DC, for telephone consultations for up to 20 minutes with no obligation. To take advantage of this member benefit, call Schneider at 202.393.7600.
ICCFA Insurance Program
Administered by Alliant Insurance Services, this program allows members to purchase commercial property and casualty insurance—including general liability, commercial property, automobile liability and physical damage, umbrella liability, professional liability, workers compensation, employee benefits and more—at rates they probably would not be able to afford on
their own. For details, call 800.390.9099.
HR Law Benefit
Through an unprecedented new benefit program, ICCFA members can now access free legal consultations regarding labor relations, human resource management and employment law. Attorney Michael Pepperman of the Labor Relations and Employment Law department at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP (ORM&H), is available to address questions on topics ranging from hiring and firing, to employee privacy and workplace violence, to wages and hours, to equal employment opportunity and wrongful discharge issues. Michael Pepperman, Esq., has spoken on labor and employment issues at several ICCFA conferences and regional industry meetings. To take advantage of this benefit, please call 215.665.3032.
ICCFA Introduces New Sales Training Programs
ICCFA introduces new sales training programs by sales trainer and professional speaker Gary O'Sullivan, CCE. O'Sullivan's two latest products include a 10 DVD Series—The Power to Sell Preneed, and a training support system called the GoSell System. Both products provide sales managers with tools and training strategies that will help them to strengthen and motivate their teams. For more details or to place an order, call the ICCFA at 800.645.7700.
ICCFA Internet Expo
The ICCFA Internet Expo is the largest online exposition in the cemetery and funeral service industry. Cemetery and funeral home owners and operators will find 300+ providers in more than 100 product and service categories. Exhibit space is provided as a free, exclusive benefit to all ICCFA supplier and professional members. Check it out today!
Fraud Prevention & Detection Consultation Service
ICCFA has retained the services of veteran fraud investigator Robert A. Garvey Jr., CPA, CFE, CrFA, CVA, to serve as a consultative resource for members' employee theft and fraud concerns. The new member benefit, the "Fraud Investigation and Deterrence Consultation Service" or FIDCS, will allow members to discuss by telephone any issues or concerns related to suspected fraudulent activity or a desire to put systems and controls in place at their locations to deter such activity. There is no cost to ICCFA members in good standing to utilize this benefit. The number to call is 866.649.1902.
Legal Advice on Cremation Concerns
Courtesy of the ICCFA Government and Legal Fund, ICCFA members now have access to pre-paid legal advice on cremation-related issues. Through this exclusive member benefit, the association has retained Poul H. Lemasters, Esq., of Lemasters Consulting in Cincinnati, Ohio. Poul is an attorney and licensed funeral director, and members in good standing may call him at 513.407.8114 to discuss cremation concerns for up to 20 minutes at no charge.
FTC 'Red Flag' Compliance Program
ICCFA now offers members a sample compliance program concerning new Federal Trade Commission rules to fight identity theft. To have the program template sent to you, please contact us at 800.645.7700 or rfells@iccfa.com.
GPL Compliance Check
Members whose businesses must follow the FTC Funeral Rule's General Price List (GPL) requirements can have their lists reviewed for compliance by attorney Poul H. Lemasters, Esq., without charge. Contact Lemasters at 513.407.8114.
CONTACT US
International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association
107 Carpenter Drive, Suite 100
Sterling, VA 20164
1.800.645.7700
703.391.8400
Fax: 703.391.8416
www.iccfa.com
Copyright 2010, International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association
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